2 Nov 2024
2 Nov 2024
The Willet-Holthuysen House
House of Collectives
During Museumnacht, leading Amsterdam collectives—including Patchwork Family, Le Trou Collective, Dream Unit, and Werker Collective—will take over Huis Willet-Holthuysen for a radical reinterpretation of our cultural heritage. In this takeover, they abandon the traditional frameworks of the museum to create a new, living archive that questions how we can preserve and reflect on the cultural innovations of today and the future.
These collectives bring together their own stories, practices, and perspectives to showcase the diversity and vibrancy of Amsterdam’s culture. They challenge us to capture contemporary cultural heritage in a way that allows for growth and change. By experimenting with counter-archiving, we can critically approach history while also paving new paths for future generations. The collective becomes a powerful tool for shaping the narrative of the city together, where every voice can be heard.
During Museumnacht at Huis Willet-Holthuysen, you will be guided through the lens of the collectives: what do they question, what motivates them, how do they put their ideas into practice, and how do they create community and influence each other?
Check out all the activities below. During Museumnacht the museum is opened from 7.00 PM to 2.00 AM.
Patchwork Family: living art and archiving the underground
In the Koepelkamer, Patchwork Family members transform into living artworks, pushing the boundaries of traditional museum spaces. Their performances bring contemporary costume dramas to life, sharply contrasting with the classical setting of Huis Willet-Holthuysen. Iconic figures from the queer underground scene gain new significance in this historical context, challenging the constraints of institutions. Simultaneously, in the Balzaal, the collective invites you into their archiving process, showcasing past fashion show performances to legitimize the underground fashion and cultural scene. Through dynamic projections and sound, Patchwork Family emphasizes the elusiveness of collective heritage, celebrating free, unbound expression.
Dream Unit: shop it work it
Dream Unit, the go-to place for the newest and undiscovered fashion and art objects in Amsterdam, perfectly aligns with the theme of the House of Collectives. This vibrant store brings together boundary-pushing creations from emerging makers—ranging from fashion and jewelry to art and books. Dream Unit offers a platform for brands and handmade objects that haven’t yet received the attention they deserve. It’s all about building community and celebrating creative diversity. The space functions not only as a shop but also as a living archive of contemporary craftsmanship. During Museumnacht, you can discover a range of talents and participate in an interactive workshop where you can engage directly with the makers.
Community & connectivity with Le Trou Collective
During Museumnacht, Le Trou Collective will bring a unique performance to Huis Willet-Holthuysen, focused on connecting people, providing a platform for talents, and centering around food. In contrast to the historical exclusivity of the house, Le Trou operates from the grassroots, working with communities that organize from the ground up. Their performance, set up as a festive dinner in the kitchen, shows how social barriers dissolve, allowing people to connect in an informal way. This scene embodies their vision of inclusive community building, where everyone is welcome. While these moments of togetherness are tangible in the moment, the performance also raises questions about how shared memories can be preserved as cultural heritage.
Werker collective presents archival material and panel discussion
Werker Collective is an Amsterdam-based art collective that has been operating since 2009 at the intersection of labor, ecofeminism, and LGBTQ+ movements. They use media such as installations, performances, and publications to bring suppressed stories and self-organization to light. With an archive of over 3,000 documents actively used for workshops and artistic projects, they give a voice to marginalized histories. During Museumnacht, they invite you into their world of self-organization and counter-archiving, where you can collectively explore how history can be rewritten and how suppressed stories can come to life.
Will we see you November 2nd?
The Willet-Holthuysen House is located on the Herengracht.
Adres: Herengracht 605, 1017CE, Amsterdam
Accessibility: Due to its many stairs and the absence of a lift, the historic building is unfortunately not accessible for wheelchair users or mobility scooters. We are currently looking into how we can make the Willet-Holthuysen House better accessible for everyone.